To dark?

[KUlmer]

Just went and got some maternity shots for my sister-in-law. Unfortunately, the only time that we could get out was around noon, leaving us hiding in the shade. She loves willow trees, so I found this one, but the light was just too strong to get any shots on the trunk besides this one. So, I'm wondering if the lighting works or not and if not any advice you have for post that might improve it.



Nikon D5000
1/250, F5.6, ISO 200
60mm


Thanks!

[lenslizard]

I like this, however, there are a few things you cold have done better. One is to find maybe a shadier place to take the shot, which would keep the hard light from hitting too hard on her face and the rest of that side. In that sort of light, I personally would have spot metered, and used some fill flash. (Don't know if your flash fired.) Another thing I might point out is the composition. Where it is good in this photo, I would have gone with more of a 3/4 view. That way, more light is on her face and it's less dark, and also, I've always found that a 3/4 view adds a little mrore depth to the picture.

[rengles]

hi there,

Nice shot--you can definitely tell how big her belly is! The shadow on her face makes her look tired, though...fill flash or even just turning the head might help next time. I would try to lighten her face and hair more in post...

Reina

[KUlmer]

Thanks for the advice. Cropping any tighter would have cropped into her belly. Normally, I don't mind that, but where it is a maternity shot, the belly is kind of the point.That is why I kept it zoomed out.

I liked the way the light fell because it wrapped around her body and accentuated the curves and highlighted that she was pregnant. I didn't use a fill flash because getting rid of the shadow would eliminate that. Also, I'm wondering if it would be possible to lighten the shadows on her face without making it look odd attached to a shadowed body.

We got lots of portraits just to the side where the shade provided even lighting.This one was more a play with light and shadows.

[BK553]

You need a reflector or some fill flash in these situations. It's really the only way to get nice, even lighting.